Anakin, Father of the Empire - A More Intellectual Prequel Series

Hello all, let me introduce myself, I am Joshua, 16-year-old from Australia. Ever since I can remember, I’ve adored Star Wars, and, for the longest time, I adored the PT. Then I got smarter.
Something that I dislike most about the PT is that it has such little substance, and more importantly, such little morality. Now, black and white morality works for the OT, that’s kind of its thing, but the prequels are supposed to explain things. Not just WHAT happened before the OT, but WHY it happened.
This is something I hope to focus on.
Whilst I tend to try to avoid overdone topics, I keep feeling drawn to this topic. At first, I will not so much re-write the prequels but rather brainstorm and explain my ideas and concepts. The first thing I shall focus on is just that… The focus.

Now, I would appreciate any of feedback or suggestions. I will likely to come back to this topic and give more written stuff, as well as my costume and character designs.

FOCUS -
The focus of the films should be on:
1. The morality and duality of the Jedi and Sith Orders.
2. The politics of the Republic.
3. Effects of the Clone Wars.
4. The beliefs of Anakin.

For the first, the Jedi and Sith should not be seen as wholly good, nor wholly evil. The beliefs of the orders should be depicted as extreme and arrogant. Anakin will realize this and be on the way to attaining balance upon his turn. He is the first Jedi to attain proper balance. His poor treatment at the hands of Obi-Wan will cause him to lean toward the Dark Side.

For the second, we should see a once noble and just system of government on its last leg, on the verge of fulfilling its usefulness. The Republic should be corrupt and inadequate, the Empire should be borne of Anakin’s political ideals, not Anakin’s stupidity. Padme should be depicted as an intellectual who effects Anakin’s views drastically.

For the third, we should the Clone Wars as three wars fought between the Republic and three different factions. The first war was between the Republic and the Kaleesh-Nemoidian alliance, the second between the Republic and the CIS, the third between both of these powers, but led by the Sith. The effect these wars have on the Republic and its citizens should be depicted as extreme.

For the Fourth, my ideal Anakin is a very moral and ethical person. Someone who strives for justice and decency above all else. At first, he hates the Jedi for its lack of freedom and adores the Republic for its freedom. Eventually, he will become fed up with both of these inadequate powers and help Palpatine create the Empire.

Your ideas are fairly good. I’m interested in seeing how you execute them.

MAIN CHARACTERS –

Anakin Skywalker – Youthful Jedi Knight. He was brought into the Jedi Order by Obi-Wan Kenobi. At this time the Jedi council considered him too old to become a Padawan – past a certain age a child is too old to be indoctrinated into Jedi beliefs. This was ignored, mostly due to Obi-Wan’s standing in the Jedi Council. He was trained by Master Obi-Wan Kenobi, whom came to be his greatest friend. Soon Anakin came to love a Naboo senator, Padme Amidala, whom had also taught him much of the galactic politics, republic history, and the renowned injustice of the Jedi order.

Obi-Wan Kenobi – Middle Aged Jedi Master. Raised from childhood to be a Jedi, he was once the Padawan of Qui-Gon before the latter was excommunicated. Due to him being taught by the more progressive Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan came to be more progressive also. Unlike most Jedi, Obi-Wan was compassionate and understanding. This also helped Anakin’s journey from the Order’s teachings.

Padme Amidala – Young Naboo Senator. The youthful, beautiful, and intelligent Padme Amidala was a Galactic senator hailing from Naboo. She is extremely passionate about her views. She is an egalitarian whom understands that both sides of a war will be hurt. Her main motivations are; disbanding and freeing the Republic “Clone Army”, which she thinks of as slavery, and ending the war diplomatically.

Count Qui-Gon Jinn / Darth Clemence – Aged Sith Lord, ex Jedi Master. The merciful and progressive Jedi and Sith lord Darth Clemence – named for his merciful nature – born named Qui-Gon Jinn, was a Count of the House of Jinn on Serenno. He was abducted as a child by the Jedi order, and, during his thirties – whilst training Obi-Wan – he decided to leave the Order and return to his home. He became Count and eventually joined the Sith order. He is a great force user and great swordsman. His lightsabre and armour are unlike that of the Jedi and Sith, instead his gear takes great influence from his ancestors. For example, his sabre hilt is extra-long and has a cross guard.

Sheev Palpatine – Effectively unchanged

Yoda – Effectively unchanged

CHARACTERISATION OF ANAKIN:

The characterisation of Anakin should be at first a young Jedi, dealing with his own hormonal and intellectual imbalance, and trying to understand the politics and righteousness of; the Clone War, the corrupt republic, and the extremist cult of the Jedi Temple.

With his relationship with Padme he begins to learn of proper love and sexuality. Through her he also learns the proper politics of the Clone Wars. She teaches him much, and, for the first time, he understands humanity, this even further pulls him from the teachings of the Jedi Code.

Come the time he begins to turn, he feels the teachings of the Jedi are entirely unjust. This however does not make him become a proper Sith. After he slaughters the Jedi, he goes straight to slaughter the Sith.
When it comes to him and Obi-Wan they should be depicted as friends, with a brotherly bond. They share many jokes and are often on the same level of thinking. Their separation does not start until after Anakin has turned.

The ultimate fear for Padme needn’t be due to having dreams of her dying, but instead the Jedi - led by Master Windu -attempting to kill the couple, punishment for attachment. In reaction to this attack, Anakin should go to Palpatine and begin his attack on the Jedi temple.

I have to say I like what you have in mind for the characters. I particularly like your take on Qui-Gon as a gray Jedi/light Sith.

PLANNED PARTS

Short Story – Temple of Lies:
Through the crime ridden down town of Coruscant walk Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi. There they come across a gang of street urchins led by an orphaned adolescent Anakin Skywalker.
Qui-Gon brings Anakin to the Jedi temple and begins his training. Anakin and Obi-Wan begin to become friends and Qui-Gon leaves the Jedi order for unknown reasons, leaving the training of Anakin to a now Knighted Obi-Wan.

Characters: Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker,

Novel – The Phantom Strikes
Five years after Temple of Lies we see Obi-Wan and Anakin, they have become very close, akin to brothers. The Republic is at war with the Separatist Kaleesh-Neimoidian alliance once again, but this time the alliance is far larger and has very much different goals and tactics.
They are called to the planet of Naboo to help defend against an incoming attack by the Separatists, there Kenobi insists that the Princess of Naboo, Padme Amidala, goes to a highly defended, secluded palace. She is sent there with Anakin and a large detachment of Clone Troopers. There she and Anakin begin to form a bond, as the youths engage in deep, developed, and open conversations.
Meanwhile, aboard a large Separatist vessel is Darth Clemence. A dark lord of the Sith, and apprentice to Lord Sidious. He engages in a holoprojector call with Darth Grievous. The two speak of their plan to capture the Princess and leave the planet, and use her as leverage later on.
Anakin and Padme spend more time speaking of the war, and why Padme didn’t leave her planet. Obi-Wan has his Clones setup the planets cities for defence. He has them train and arm the citizenry and recruit the Gungan army, led by General Jar-Jar Binks.
In the early morning – of where the Jedi are located – the Sith attack. Darth Clemence leads his Sith soldiers in their black and grey armour. They and the Clones engage in brutal combat.
Meanwhile, a Dark Lord closes in on Anakin and Padme. He is called Darth Maul. He leads a large regiment against the defended position. The Clone Troopers fight bravely to defend the position, holding back the Sith Troops, but not Maul. He quickly slips through the defences and into the palace.
Anakin senses the danger and readies himself. He and Padme try to reach a safe room, but are cut off by the Dark lord. He pulls out his sabre, as does Anakin. The Sith attacks the Jedi, whom defends the Princess.
Meanwhile, Kenobi battles the Sith warriors, leading a speeder charge from the city plaza. He and Clemence come into contact and duel. Clemence draws a long Sabre with a cross guard. The two fight furiously, until an explosion goes off close to them, they are sent flying, and Clemence is unmasked, his identity is revealed to be Qui-Gon.

Back at the Palace, the duel between Skywalker and Maul is still going, it is fast paced and one-sided, Maul strikes Skywalker with his fists, feet, knees, and head, but is unable to kill him with his sabre. Whenever Padme tries to go somewhere, Maul follows and Anakin mirrors him, defending the Princess.
Eventually Maul becomes angered and his target switches from Padme to Anakin, he begins to go berserk and attack him with ferocious barrages of strikes. Eventually Maul has him down and is about to kill him when Padme fires upon him with a Clone Blaster, hitting him in the back many times, just saving her protector.
Meanwhile, Kenobi and his Clones hold the capital plaza bravely against the Sith, they are surrounded, when the Sith are themselves surrounded by the Gungan army led by Binks. The Gungans make quick work of the Sith, with the exception of Clemence who escapes.
The Gungans, Naboo, and Clones rejoice. The Clone army, Gungan army, and Jedi are all given praise and medals by the Naboo people and a great celebration is had. This is where this part ends.

Characters: Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Padme Amidala, Sheev Palpatine, Count Qui-Gon Jinn/Darth Clemence, Darth Grievous, Darth Maul

P.S. How does one post an image?

stickydixon said:

P.S. How does one post an image?


Clemence vs Obi-Wan

Huzzah!

Danke, and I do have more
Anakin Skywalker

Anakin and Padme

Darth Clemence

Darth Maul

Anakin Monastic Garb Sketch